Jenny McCarthy says she's "beyond thrilled" to have been named new co-host of "The View," ABC's popular daytime show. But given the former Playboy model's misguided views on the purported risks posed by childhood vaccines, science-minded folks are anything but thrilled.

"I am concerned that Ms. McCarthy will encourage parents to prevent their kids from getting vaccinated," Nye told The Huffington Post in an email. He added that while he believes parents should have the final say in determining a child's medical care, "We must all keep in mind that regulations requiring vaccinations are not only created to protect a kid from extant germs; vaccinations also protect my kid from yours."

But if Nye is concerned about McCarthy's new gig, he also sees a potential upside.

"A show like 'The View,' like any story or show that holds your attention, depends on conflict," he said in the email. "So, here's hoping they promote this conflict, or at least vigorous disagreement, about the role of science in medicine and in our technologically advanced society. I believe Ms. McCarthy's views will be discredited."

With celebrities such as former Playboy model Jenny McCarthy pushing the discredited idea that vaccines cause autism, researchers and public health officials have worried about the resurgence of preventable childhood diseases. Actress Amanda Peet lent her celebrity shine to the cause of vaccination in 2008 when she became the spokeswoman for the group Every Child By Two, an organization that encourages childhood vaccination. Peet used her own experiences as a new mother to encourage parents to get vaccine information from reliable sources.
"What became clear to us after all of our research was that scientists around the world clearly refuted any connection between vaccines and autism or other disorders. Most importantly, I learned that delaying vaccines could jeopardize our baby's life," Peet wrote on the website, vaccinateyourbaby.org. "After my experiences I realized that many parents must be going through the same turmoil over this critical decision. I was determined to do whatever I could to help parents like us get the facts straight on this very important issue."